That's it from this game. We had a good one today. The series needed Ireland to win. We will see you on 10th for the finale. Until then, have fun! Good night!

22:20 Local Time, 18:20 GMT, 23:50 IST: So Ireland equalise and in style. Having posted a decent enough total on this track, they never allowed the Afghans to get going. While the wickets were intact for a fair bit of time, the required run-rate kept going up, eventually sucking the Afghans into playing some nothing shots. Credit must be given to Irish fielders as well; they cut down on easy singles and maintained the pressure. After being outplayed in the first game, this is the kind of performance one would have expected from Ireland who now will have the momentum going into the final ODI two days from now...

45.2

Chase to Rashid Khan, out The non-striker Mujeeb is Run Out! Rashid skied that short one straight down the ground, and the long-on fielder who was coming in, fired in a throw. Rashid sent Mujeeb back to the non-striker's end and his bat got stuck right before he reached the crease. That encapsulates a luckless day for the Afghans! This has gone up to the 3rd umpire and it looks out as the bat got stuck before the non-striker made it to the crease. The Irish are already celebrating, and finally the big screen shows OUT! Mujeeb Zadran run out (Chase) 0(0)

Chase to Rashid Khan, THAT'S OUT!! Run Out!!

45.1

Chase to Rashid Khan, FOUR, full outside off, Rashid Khan makes room and launches it over deep extra cover. Brave shot by Rashid Khan but is it coming a bit too late for the Afghans?

Peter Chase [8.0-0-40-2] is back into the attack

Mujeeb Zadran, right handed bat, comes to the crease

44.6

Barry McCarthy to Dawlat Zadran, out Lbw!! Full ball on middle, plumb as it can get! Dawlat Zadran swipes across the line, on the run, and is caught in front, and that is the 9th wicket down for Afghanistan! Ireland come another step closer to equalising it, so that we can look forward to a tantalising finale on the 10th! Excellent delivery, slower yorker and Dawlat Zadran was completely bamboozled by the lack of pace. Hitting middle of middle that one. Dawlat Zadran lbw b Barry McCarthy 12(10) [4s-1]

Barry McCarthy to Dawlat Zadran, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!

44.5

Barry McCarthy to Dawlat Zadran, 2 runs, off-cutter, Barry McCarthy takes the pace off the ball, Dawlat waits for it and clips it down to backward square leg for a couple

44.4

Barry McCarthy to Dawlat Zadran, FOUR, FINALLY! Half-volley outside off, Dawlat Zadran doesn't move his feet and drives it to the extra cover fence for four. That raced away off the bat

44.3

Barry McCarthy to Rashid Khan, 1 run, full-toss on off-stump, whipped away to deep mid-wicket for a single

Murtagh to Dawlat Zadran, 1 run, back of a length on off, Dawlat Zadran punches off the back foot towards cover point for a single

43.5

Murtagh to Dawlat Zadran, 2 runs, short ball, Dawlat Zadran waves his bat at it and gets an edge very fine, and the keeper doesn't dive so it goes towards the boundary where third man collects it and scores a direct-hit at the batsman's end, but he is easily in

43.4

Murtagh to Dawlat Zadran, no run, full outside off, Dawlat Zadran comes forward and punches it to cover, where the fielder dives to his left to prevent the boundary

43.3

Murtagh to Dawlat Zadran, 2 runs, short and wide, cut away past a diving backward point to deep backward point for a couple

43.2

Murtagh to Dawlat Zadran, no run, full and tossed up wide outside off, Zadran stretches and taps it on the head towards the cover fielder

43.1

Murtagh to Rashid Khan, 1 run, full ball on the pads, clipped away to deep mid-wicket for an easy single

Dawlat Zadran, right handed bat, comes to the crease

42.6

Barry McCarthy to Shafiqullah, out Bowled!! He is on a hat-trick! Shafiqullah misses a full and straight ball and tries to flick across the line without understanding the pace of the wicket! Not quite yorker length, but not the shot he should be playing first ball. He will be on a hat-trick when he comes back to bowl his next over! Second hat-trick ball today. Will this one be a successful one? Only time will tell. Shafiqullah b Barry McCarthy 0(1)

Barry McCarthy to Shafiqullah, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!

Shafiqullah Shafiq, right handed bat, comes to the crease

42.5

Barry McCarthy to Nasir Jamal, out Caught by Porterfield!! Slow, loopy ball, Nasir Jamal waited on it after making room and exposing all three sticks, but forgot about placement as he hit it towards Porterfield at short cover. He scooped it towards him and he took a good low catch. Nasir Jamal c Porterfield b Barry McCarthy 25(47)

Barry McCarthy to Nasir Jamal, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

42.4

Barry McCarthy to Rashid Khan, 1 run, full toss, Rashid Khan elegantly square drives but straight to sweeper cover where the man at deep point comes across to save the boundary

42.3

Barry McCarthy to Rashid Khan, 2 runs, good length outside off, Rashid Khan swats it with a cross-bat to deep mid-wicket for a couple. No timing on that one, but good enough for two. Afghans seem to be in panic mode now

42.2

Barry McCarthy to Nasir Jamal, 1 run, short outside off, pulled away to deep mid-wicket but with poor timing and it won't carry to the boundary. Just the single

42.1

Barry McCarthy to Nasir Jamal, no run, short and wide, Nasir Jamal cuts it straight to the man at point. Sotry of the Afghan innings: middling everything, and failing to find the gap

Barry McCarthy [7.0-1-34-2] is back into the attack

41.6

Murtagh to Rashid Khan, no run, dropped!, back of a length just outside off, Rashid Khan sits on one knee trying to steer it between point and gully, manages to find gully who have to move to his left to catch that but fails to latch on

41.5

Murtagh to Nasir Jamal, 1 run, back of a length on off and middle, Nasir Jamal premeditates a paddle sweep to short fine leg where the man dives to save it (great work by the fielder in fact) and they scamper across for a single

41.4

Murtagh to Rashid Khan, 1 run, back of a length on middle, tucked away, too cute a shot but middled somehow, away to backward square leg where the sweeper comes around to collect it and fires in a good throw and keeps it to just one

41.3

Murtagh to Rashid Khan, no run, good length on middle, Rashid Khan drives it straight and disturbs the stumps at the other end

The keeper is upto the stumps now.

41.2

Murtagh to Rashid Khan, no run, back of a length on middle, Rashid Khan makes room and nails the punch with the weight on his back foot, but still finds the fielder at short cover. They have GOT to start finding the gaps. NOW.

41.1

Murtagh to Nasir Jamal, 1 run, full delivery outside off, Nasir Jamal has a heave straight down the ground, but he gets it off the inside half and it lands beyond the circle as long-on comes in to collect the ball and throw it in

Tim Murtagh [7.0-1-19-1] is back into the attack

The required rate is soaring at 8.67 rpo. 78 required off 54 now.

40.6

Dockrell to Nasir Jamal, 1 run, good length outside off, Nasir Jamal makes room and slices it aerially to sweeper cover for a single

40.5

Dockrell to Rashid Khan, 1 run, full on middle, Rashid Khan jabs it down to long-on for a comfortable single

40.4

Dockrell to Nasir Jamal, 1 run, good length on the pads, clipped away to deep mid-wicket for a single

40.3

Dockrell to Nasir Jamal, no run, full outside off, Jamal makes room prematurely and toe-ends it to the man at cover

40.2

Dockrell to Rashid Khan, 1 run, short, very short, seemed to slip out of his hand, and he cuts it hard square of the wicket for just a single. They miss out on another scoring opportunity

40.1

Dockrell to Rashid Khan, no run,full on off, a hint of turn away, and Rashid Khan is to the pitch of it as he punches it to mid-off

George Dockrell [8.0-0-38-1] is back into the attack

The required rate has sky-rocketed over 8 runs per over now! The Afghans need someone to pull off a Dockrell! Add to that the pressure of a run-chase, and they will need something special to win it from here

39.6

Chase to Rashid Khan, 1 run, full and very wide, Rashid Khan desperate throw his hands at it after stretching forward and slices that away to sweeper cover for a single. Almost lost his balance playing that shot. Could easily have fallen over to the off-side

39.5

Chase to Rashid Khan, 2 runs, back of a length outside off, cut away late to deep backward point for a couple

Rashid Khan, right handed bat, comes to the crease

The Irish were 188/6 as well. Now the Afghans need to find their Dockrell in someone now to chase this down.

39.4

Chase to Naib, out Caught by Poynter!! Short, not nearly short enough to pull and Naib mistimes this one right into the hands of Stuart Poynter at short mid-wicket. The Irish have piled on the pressure with traditional tight lines and they are reaping the rewards for that now. 6 down for 187, similar to Ireland when they were 188/6, before Dockrell intervened. Where is Afghanistan's Dockrell? Naib c Poynter b Chase 3(12)

The umpires are checking if the catch was clean. It was quite a low catch and the camera angles are not very clear. Let us see which away this one goes. Traditionally the benefit of the doubt is supposed to be given to the batsman. And the third umpire has given it out! He seems to think that the catch is clean enough and that is what matters in the end.

Chase to Naib, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

39.3

Chase to Naib, no run, full ball outside off, Naib drives it right back to the bowler who threatens to throw it back but doesn't. The batsman look unfazed

39.2

Chase to Naib, no run, back of a length outside off, Naib gets on top of it and drives through cover, but the man at short cover dives to his left to stop it. And its the big man Stirling!

39.1

Chase to Naib, no run, good length on off, Naib drives it with a straight bat towards mid-on. Required rate is 7.85 now!

Chase continues from the other end

38.6

Stirling to Naib, 1 run, half-tracker, Naib stays back and cuts it hard to sweeper cover for just a single. These are the poor balls that the Afghans have failed to dispatch to the boundary today and that might well cost them in the end

38.6

Stirling to Naib, wide, drifting down leg, Naib misses the glance and the umpire calls it a wide

38.5

Stirling to Naib, no run, loopy good length delivery on off, Naib turns it wristily to short mid-wicket

38.4

Stirling to Naib, no run, full outside off, driven to the man at mid-off

Umpire wipes some dew away from the ball

38.3

Stirling to Nasir Jamal, 1 run, good length on middle, Nasir Jamal comes forward, transfers his weight into that as he turns it away in front of square for a single

38.2

Stirling to Naib, 1 run, back of a length on off, Naib drives it down to long-on for an easy single

38.1

Stirling to Naib, no run, loopy ball outside off, a hint of turn and it is dead-batted back to the bowler

Paul Stirling [6.0-0-27-0] is back into the attack

37.6

Chase to Nasir Jamal, no run, play and a miss! Huge appeal, but no edge there! Full and outside off, it was there to be his, but Nasir Jamal misses the full-blooded cover drive on his knees and makes no contact whatsoever

37.5

Chase to Nasir Jamal, no run, full ball outside off, punched with good timing straight to mid-off

37.4

Chase to Naib, 1 run, to deep extra cover, back of a length just outside off, Naib stands his ground inside his crease and punches off the front foot to deep extra cover for a single

37.3

Chase to Naib, no run, back of a length on off, Naib defends it off the back foot back to the bowler

37.2

Chase to Naib, no run, good length just in the channel outside off, Naib comes forward and defends to cover

Gulbadin Naib, right handed bat, comes to the crease

37.1

Chase to Nabi, out Bowled!! Back of a length outsie off, Nabi pokes at it without any feet and gets a thick inside edge onto leg-stump. Wrong time for the Afghans to lose a wicket. It was slower, and seemed to be the off-cutter and that made the difference as the batsmen have been late-cutting a lot lately. Timely break-through for the Irish and this is likely to further slow down the run-rate which has been quite slow today anyway. Nabi was trying to guide it down but was beaten by the lack of pace. He really should have got his back foot across to off-stump to play that one. Nabi b Chase 29(26) [4s-3]

Chase to Nabi, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!

Peter Chase [6.0-0-36-0] is back into the attack

36.6

Barry McCarthy to Nasir Jamal, no run, good length outside off, Nasir Jamal drives off the front foot towards the man at short cover. They need to stop finding the fielders with crisp shots and start finding the gaps soon. The required rate is closing in on 7

36.5

Barry McCarthy to Nabi, 1 run, back of a length on leg, Nabi tucks it away to deep square leg for a single

36.4

Barry McCarthy to Nasir Jamal, 1 run, to third man, short ball and slow, Nasir Jamal waits on it and late-cuts it to deep third man for a single

36.3

Barry McCarthy to Nasir Jamal, 2 runs, short, and Nasir Jamal is quickly onto the back foot to pull it as fine leg comes across to pick it up and prevent it from reaching the deep square leg fence. They manage to get a couple of runs

36.2

Barry McCarthy to Nasir Jamal, no run, back of a length outside off, Nasir Jamal plants his foot forward and opens the bat face to guide it to backward point

required off 84 now. The Afghans gaining some momentum over the last few overs.

35.6

Stirling to Nabi, no run, good length outside off, Nabi stays rooted to the crease and drives it firmly to cover

35.5

Stirling to Nabi, no run, good length on the pads, a hint of turn and Nabi turns it away to short mid-wicket

35.4

Stirling to Nabi, FOUR, too full and flighted outside off, Nabi doesn't need a second invitation as he lofts it over deep extra cover for four. Absolutely slapped by him with a strong bottom hand. Brutal!

35.3

Stirling to Nasir Jamal, 1 run, full and flighted on middle, Nasir Jamal comes forward and nugdes it in front of square for a single

35.2

Stirling to Nabi, 1 run, good length on off, Nabi crouches low and cuts it quite late square of the wicket for a single

35.1

Stirling to Nabi, no run, good length outside off, turning in slight, and safely negotiated by the batsman. Dead-batted

Chase to Nasir Jamal, no run, yorker. Nasir Jamal jams it back to the bowler

30.1

Chase to Nabi, 3 runs

Peter Chase [5.0-0-27-0] is back into the attack

29.6

Stirling to Nabi, 1 run, flatter ball. Nabi punches down to long-off

29.5

Stirling to Nabi, 2 runs, turns to mid-wicket who fires at the bowler's end and deflects it off the stumps. Overthrow ensues

29.4

Stirling to Nabi, no run, turns in on middle and leg. Nabi nudges to mid-wicket

29.3

Stirling to Nabi, no run

29.2

Stirling to Nasir Jamal, 1 run, keeps low outside off. Nasir Jamal pushes off the back foot to point

29.1

Stirling to Nasir Jamal, no run, tossed up ball. Nasir Jamal pushes back to the bowler

Paul Stirling [2.0-0-10-0] is back into the attack

28.6

Murtagh to Nasir Jamal, 1 run, short and wide outside off. Nasir Jamal controls it well and dabs to third man

28.5

Murtagh to Nasir Jamal, no run, tucks to mid-wicket and wants a single but the fielder is pretty quick there

28.4

Murtagh to Nasir Jamal, no run, back of a length delivery. Nasir Jamal defends back to the bowler

Mohammad Nabi, right handed bat, comes to the crease

28.3

Murtagh to Stanikzai, out Caught by Wilson!! Stanikzai had been trying this shot for a while now and finally when it comes off, it is not off the meat of the bat, taking it into the sky at deep square leg. The fielder runs in front and dives to grab that inches off the ground. Stanikzai c Wilson b Murtagh 12(23) [4s-1]

Murtagh to Stanikzai, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

28.2

Murtagh to Stanikzai, no run, length ball. Stanikzai defends back to the bowler

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, good length on middle, pushed back to the bowler

24.5

Dockrell to Stanikzai, cover driven to the man inside the ring

24.4

Dockrell to Nasir Jamal, 1 run, good length delivery, clipped to mid-wicket for one

24.3

Dockrell to Rahmat, out Stumped!! Has Niall O'Brien affected a stumping? Yes he has! Quick hands. Rahmat was beaten by the guile this time, the ball turned a bit and foxed the outer half of the blade. O'Brien judged it well and disloded the bails in no time. Rahmat st Niall O'Brien b Dockrell 32(43) [4s-2]

Dockrell to Rahmat, THAT'S OUT!! Stumped!!

24.2

Dockrell to Stanikzai, 1 run, flat and quick. Stanikzai works to the on-side

24.1

Dockrell to Rahmat, 1 run, tossed up ball. Rahmat pushes to mid-off

23.6

Barry McCarthy to Rahmat, 1 run, knocked down to long-on for a single

23.5

Barry McCarthy to Rahmat, FOUR, tossed up ball. Rahmat lofts it straight past the bowler. Races to the long-off fence

23.4

Barry McCarthy to Stanikzai, 1 run, keeps a bit low on the stumps. Stanikzai flicks behind square on the on-side

Barry McCarthy to Stanikzai, leg byes, 1 run, on the pads of Stanikzai. Deflects to the on-side

21.3

Barry McCarthy to Rahmat, 1 run, full ball on the middle and leg. Rahmat knocks down to long-on

21.2

Barry McCarthy to Rahmat, no run, back of a length delivery. Rahmat defends back to the bowler

Asghar Stanikzai, right handed bat, comes to the crease

21.1

Barry McCarthy to Javed Ahmadi, out Caught by Dockrell!! He has got another one. Comes into the attack and does the job; bangs it short and into Javed Ahmadi's body, propelling him to pull it. The latter does well but perhaps too well, putting enough bat on it to carry to the fielder manning the fence at deep backward square leg. Ireland are cock-a-hoop. Is this the window they wanted so desperately? Javed Ahmadi c Dockrell b Barry McCarthy 48(67) [4s-7]

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, short of a good length ball. Javed Ahmadi rocks back and blocks

18.5

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, FOUR, ends up on the legs of Javed Ahmadi, goes across and whips to the fine leg fence. 50 partnership up between these two!

18.4

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, drops in front of point and wants a single. But Rahmat is vigilant, denies the run after he spotted the fielder swoop on the ball

18.3

Chase to Rahmat, 1 run, slices the drive to point and calls for a single

18.2

Chase to Rahmat, no run, on a length and outside off. Rahmat tries to drive on the up and is beaten

18.1

Chase to Rahmat, no run, back of a length delivery outside off. Rahmat punches to backward point

17.6

Stirling to Rahmat, 1 run, flat ball on middle stump, Rahmat stays on the back foot and bunts it down to long-on for a single

17.5

Stirling to Javed Ahmadi, 1 run, short and wide, Javed gets onto the back foot and cuts it away to sweeper cover, but fails to find the gap. They only get the single off that poor delivery. They have got to start punishing the bad balls!

17.4

Stirling to Javed Ahmadi, no run, full on middle, driven towards long-on, but short mid-wicket comes across quickly to stop the single. They are piling on the pressure with their tight fielding.

17.3

Stirling to Javed Ahmadi, no run, similar ball. Javed Ahmadi pushes to mid-wicket once again

17.2

Stirling to Rahmat, 1 run, spins on the stumps. Rahmat punches to long-on

17.1

Stirling to Rahmat, no run, full on the stumps, driven down to mid-on

Paul Stirling, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

Drinks

16.6

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, 2 runs, short ball. Javed Ahmadi pulls over mid-wicket for a couple

Kevin O'Brien to Javed Ahmadi, 2 runs, this has not cleared the fence and eventually the fielder, running from mid-off, hunts it down but this shot had all the ingredients to qualify as a good shot. Hit it on the up and managed to put over mid-off

Barry McCarthy to Rahmat, 1 run, gets too far across to this length ball and yet is in control to work through the on-side for a single

13.5

Barry McCarthy to Javed Ahmadi, 1 run, length ball outside off. Javed Ahmadi chops to third man for a single

13.4

Barry McCarthy to Javed Ahmadi, no run, now tries to work around. Hit on the pad

13.3

Barry McCarthy to Javed Ahmadi, FOUR, mid-on is in the ring and that arms him with temerity to step down to a medium pacer hitting the back of a length. Goes for the loft and manages to clear the mid-on fielder despite not having timed it at all

13.2

Barry McCarthy to Javed Ahmadi, no run, keeps a bit low off length. Javed Ahmadi keeps it out

13.1

Barry McCarthy to Rahmat, 1 run, on the pads of Rahmat, Flicked to deep square leg for a single

12.6

Dockrell to Rahmat, 1 run, pushed to mid-on for a quick single

12.5

Dockrell to Rahmat, no run, quicker around off. Rahmat chops the cut to cover

12.4

Dockrell to Rahmat, no run, makes room and cuts this flatter ball to backward point

Barry McCarthy to Ihsanullah, out Bowled!! First incision has been made. Ihsanullah tries to drive this length ball on the up and leaves a bit of gap between pad and bat. That's enough for the ball to sneak in and shatter the stumps. Ihsanullah b Barry McCarthy 20(29) [4s-1 6s-1]

Dockrell to Ihsanullah, no run, quicker on off. Ihsanullah pushes back to the bowler

10.4

Dockrell to Javed Ahmadi, 1 run, flatter ball, whipped off the back foot to square leg

10.3

Dockrell to Ihsanullah, 1 run, drilled down to long-off for an easy one

10.2

Dockrell to Ihsanullah, no run, tossed up ball, defended

10.1

Dockrell to Ihsanullah, no run, punched to mid-on

George Dockrell [1.0-0-8-0] is back into the attack

9.6

Barry McCarthy to Javed Ahmadi, no run, full on the pads again but he clips it straight to short mid-wicket this time

9.5

Barry McCarthy to Javed Ahmadi, no run, good length on off, Javed Ahmadi trying to hit through the line, but doesn't quite time the loft over long-on as the bat twists in his hands. Manages to get it on the bounce to mid-on

9.4

Barry McCarthy to Javed Ahmadi, FOUR, short ball on middle, and Javed Ahmadi gets into position very quickly and nails that pull to backward square leg for a boundary. Deep mid-wicket couldn't come across in time, such was the timing on it

9.3

Barry McCarthy to Javed Ahmadi, no run, full and wide outside off, Javed Ahmadi leans into a square drive but guides it straight to point

9.2

Barry McCarthy to Javed Ahmadi, no run, full ball on the legs, Javed Ahmadi tries an extravagant flick, and misses the ball as it thuds into the pad and goes towards fine leg. NO runs taken

9.1

Barry McCarthy to Ihsanullah, 1 run, back of a length on the pads, Ihsanullah stays back and tucks it away towards deep mid-wicket for a single

Barry McCarthy, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

8.6

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, no run, back of a length on middle and leg, Javed Ahmadi stays in the crease and defends it to mid-on

8.5

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, 1 run, good length on middle, coming in with the angle, and Ihsanullah plays a drive towards wide long-on with an angled bat for a single. This makes him a good candidate for LBW. He must be careful

8.4

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, no run, good length outside off, Ihsanullah guides it to the man at point

The keeper is up to the stumps now, to prevent the batsman from coming down the track.

8.3

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, 1 run, good length on middle, clipped away to deep mid-wicket for a single

8.2

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, 1 run, full delivery on off, whipped away by Ihsanullah to the man at long-on for another comfortable single. They are rotating the strike easily here

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, leg byes, 1 run, back of a length on the thigh guard, Javed Ahmadi misses the glance again and it trundles away towards fine leg. The batsmen have enough time to sneak in a leg-bye

7.5

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, good length on middle, Javed tries to glance but misses and it thuds into the pad. It was sliding down leg, so no appeal

7.4

Chase to Ihsanullah, 1 run, good length on the pads, Ihsanullah clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a comfortable single

7.3

Chase to Ihsanullah, FOUR, good length on off, Ihsanullah trusts the bounce, and tries to drive through the line, lofts it towards long-off for four. Not the bes tof timing, but good enough to carry to the boundary. Sliced it a little bit in fact

7.2

Chase to Ihsanullah, no run, back of a length outside off, Ihsanullah comes forward slightly and guides it with an open face to the man at point. Dangerous shot when the ball is seaming around

7.1

Chase to Ihsanullah, no run, back of a length on off, Ihsanullah goes back to defend it, displaying the full face of the bat. Solid defence by Ihsan

6.6

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, no run, back of a length on off, jagging in, Javed Ahmadi stays on top of it and defends it off a half-cocked stance to the man at mid-off

6.5

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, no run, good length on off, jagging in towards middle, and Javed Ahmadi punches it to mid-on from the crease. He is playing it very late here, showing some very good technique

6.4

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, 1 run, back of a length on middle, Ihsanullah shuffles across to off stump and tucks it off his hips in front of square leg for a single

Javed Ahmadi standing outside his crease to negate the swing

6.3

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, 1 run, good length on the pads, Javed Ahmadi comes across and clips it to deep mid-wicket for a comfortable single

6.2

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, no run, back of a length on middle, the ball stays low as Javed Ahmadi clips it to the man at short mid-wicket

6.1

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, 1 run, full ball on the pads, Ihsanullah on-drives it to mid-on as they scamper across for a single

5.6

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, good length delivery outside off, Javed Ahmadi punches a check-drive to the man at cover whilst trusting the bounce and hitting through the line

5.5

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, back of a length on middle, seaming in, Javed Ahmadi has his elbow pointing up as he defends it off the back foot to the man at mid-on

5.4

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, FOUR, short and wide outside off, Javed Ahmadi rocks back and cuts it away in front of deep point for four

5.3

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, back of a length on off, defended by the batsman solidly back to Chase

5.2

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, good length on off, Javed Ahmadi misjudges the length completely, as he tries to pull and the ball misses off-stump by a whisker

5.1

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, good length delivery outside off, pushed away to the man at point

4.6

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, SIX, good length delivery on off, coming in to Ihsanullah, Ihsanullah comes down the track and dispatches it over deep mid-wicket for six

4.5

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, no run, good length delivery on off, Ihsanullah defends off the back foot

4.4

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, leg byes, 1 run, good length on leg, Javed Ahmadi comes too far across and misses the glance. Big appeal, but it was clearly missing leg

4.3

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, no run, good length outside off, Javed Ahmadi drives it to the man at short cover

4.2

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, no run, back of a length on middle, Javed Ahmadi checks his punch to the man at short mid-wicket

4.1

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, 1 run, good length on the pads, clipped to deep mid-wicket for one

3.6

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, back of a length on middle, a hint of movement away and Javed Ahmadi gets behind it to defend it solidly back to the bowler

3.5

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, short and wide outside off, Javed Ahmadi tries to cut it over point without getting his back foot across to off-stump, misses it altogther. Not everyone has the hand-eye coordination of Virender Sehwag

3.4

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, FOUR, short, and he is not fast enough to bowl short, and Javed Ahmadi easily rocks back and puplls it to the backward square leg boundary for four

3.3

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, back of a length on middle, defended off the back foot right back to the bowler

3.2

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, back of a length on off, and a jaffa by the medium-pacer. Javed Ahmadi goes on the back foot and it beats his back foot defensive as it jags away off the pitch and to the keeper

3.1

Chase to Javed Ahmadi, no run, back of a length on off, Javed Ahmadi defends off the back foot

Peter Chase, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

2.6

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, no run, back of a length on middle, not short enough to pull, and Ihsanullah goes for the pull anyway and gets it away to the man at short mid-wicket

2.5

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, no run, back of a length on middle, Ihsanullah defends it from the crase by standing tall and guiding it in front of point

2.4

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, no run, good length ball outside off, Ihsanullah comes forward and drives it staright to the man at short extra cover

2.3

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, no run, good length ball on middle, Ishan comes forward to defend off the front foot

2.2

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, no run, back of a length delivery on middle, pushed off the back foot to the man at cover

2.1

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, no run, good length on middle, driven to mid-off

1.6

Dockrell to Javed Ahmadi, no run, loopy ball on leg stump, Javed tries to sweep it by misses as it thuds onto the pad. Clearly outside leg, so no appeal by the fielders either.

1.5

Dockrell to Ihsanullah, 1 run, flighted ball on middle stump, Ihsan comes forward and clips it toward square leg and they run across for a comfortable single

1.4

Dockrell to Ihsanullah, no run, flighted on middle stump on a length, defended off the front foot by Ihsan

1.4

Dockrell to Javed Ahmadi, 2 wides, back of a length on middle, Javed Ahmadi tries to pull but it skids on to the keeper who doesn't collect cleanly and they sneak a run too as it trundles into the on-side

1.3

Dockrell to Javed Ahmadi, FOUR, streaky! Good length ball on off, turning away, Javed Ahmadi goes inside out, and lofts it between the fielders at short cover and mid-off. Lucky to get the placement right and bisect those two fielders

1.2

Dockrell to Javed Ahmadi, no run, good length on middle, Javed Ahmadi defends off a half-cocked stance back to the bowler

1.1

Dockrell to Javed Ahmadi, no run, flat ball on a length outside off, Javed Ahmadi guides it off the front foot to the man at point

1.1

Dockrell to Javed Ahmadi, wide, Dockrell goes round the wicket and gets the first one to slide down leg. Wide ball

George Dockrell, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

0.6

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, no run, back of a length outside off, seaming in and good bounce, but Ihsanullah gets on top of it and defends off the back foot into the off side

0.5

Murtagh to Ihsanullah, no run, good length on middle, seaming in, and Ihsanullah is well behind it as he defends it off the back foot towards mid-on, right under his eyes

0.4

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, 1 run, back of a length on off, Javed Ahmadi turns it away off his hips towards deep square leg for a single

0.3

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, no run, good length outside off, jagging away a touch off the seam, Javed Ahmadi tries to defend it to cover but it beaten by the absrupt movement off the seam

0.2

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, no run, back of a length on middle, defended off the back foot by Javed Ahmadi

0.1

Murtagh to Javed Ahmadi, no run, big appeal. Back of a length and seaming in, but a thick inside edge into the pad as he plays a forward defensive off a half-cocked stance

Javed Ahmadi and Ihsanullah are at the crease. Javed Ahmadi is on strike. Murtagh will open the attack

Welcome back for the run-chase. Murtagh will start proceedings for Ireland, and Ahmadi will take strike

18:18 Local Time, 14:18 GMT, 19:48 IST : We will be back for the Afghan innings in 30 minutes. Stay tuned to join us for the run-chase!

Dockrell, today's sheet anchor: "We lost a number of wickets after the openers set it up beautifully. We tried to rebuild for a little while and knew that if we stayed there till there till the end, we would manage to get to an above-par total. We were tring to capitalize on as many scoring opportunities as possible and managed to stitch together a few partnerships. We were looking at 250-260 on this surface, and to get to 270-odd, we are more than happy as we think this is defendable on this track."

Innings Break: A good, fighting total by Ireland after their batting collapse in the last game. They started off poorly against spin, but managed to redeem themselves in the end. It was a topsy-turvy innings for them, as the openers gave them a good start with a century stand. They had a mini-collapse as they were 188/6 at some stage, thanks to some quick wickets by the spinners. Dockrell, stabilized the innings with a quick fifty and he stay until the end of the slog overs and made some valuable runs as Ireland ended up with a total of 271. That is definitely an above-par score in these conditions, and one that the Afghans will struggle to chase under lights.

49.6

Nabi to Chase, no run, flighted on a length, tossed up above the eye-line as he sees the batsman crouching, and he misreads the length as he thinks he can reach it with the sweep, but the off-break misses the leg-stump as the keeper makes a clean collection. Excellent, brave bowling to cap off this innings, deceiving the batsman in the flight, whereas he probably expected a flat ball fired in to the stumps

Peter Chase, right handed bat, comes to the crease

49.5

Nabi to Murtagh, out Bowled!! He has bowled him! It was the arm-ball, Murtagh made too much room outside off and tried to slap it through cover, but missed it completely as the ball rattled the furniture. These dismissals are inevitable in the slog and Ireland will be happy with their total today given their performable in the last game. Murtagh b Nabi 3(5)

Nabi to Murtagh, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!

49.4

Nabi to Dockrell, 1 run, to long-on, back of a length on middle, leg-break and Dockrell comes down the track and swipes across the line to the man at long-on

49.3

Nabi to Dockrell, SIX, flighted on a length on middle, Dockrell makes room, makes good use of his reach and doesn't let it turn as he lofts it over long-on for a massive six into the sightscreen!

49.2

Nabi to Dockrell, 2 runs, good length outside off, but Dockrell anticipates it and goes across to off stump sweep to backward square leg for a couple

49.1

Nabi to Dockrell, FOUR, full ball on leg, Dockrell comes down the track and converts it into a full toss and swats it with a horizontal bat to deep mid-wicket for a boundary where it evades a diving fielder who did his best to save the boundary. Dockrell gets to his fifty with that shot!

Mohammad Nabi [9.0-0-48-1] is back into the attack

48.6

Rashid Khan to Murtagh, no run, googly outside off, turns a tad, and Murtagh tries to sweep across the line, but it goes wide of the toe of the bat and the keeper doesn't collect cleanly. Not extra runs concded, but Shafiqullah has been poor behind the stumps today

48.5

Rashid Khan to Dockrell, 1 run, leg-break outside off, Dockrell plants his foot outside off, and clubs it against the turn towards the long-on fielder for a single

48.4

Rashid Khan to Murtagh, 1 run, full on the pads, clipped away to mid-wicket for an easy single

48.3

Rashid Khan to Dockrell, 1 run, short-ish outside off, Dockrell stays back and slaps a cut through to sweeper cover for a single

48.2

Rashid Khan to Murtagh, 1 run, Murtagh comes down the track to a loopy ball on middle and tries to flick it, gets a leading edge to short cover for one

48.1

Rashid Khan to Dockrell, 1 run, short ball on middle, Dockrell rocks back and pulls it to backward square leg for a single. He fails to place it properly as there was no man either side of him. One meter on either side and it was 4

Rashid Khan [9.0-0-35-2] is back into the attack

47.6

Naib to Dockrell, 1 run, loopy full delivery on middle, Dockrell plays a flick whilst walking at the bowler, and gets the ball to deep mid-wicket as they scamper across for a single. The arm-speed was slower from the bowler, and not the most deceptive slower ball, that. He must make sure there is no change in his action

47.5

Naib to Dockrell, 2 runs, full outside off, Dockrell stays in his crease and throws his hands at it bludgeon it to deep extra cover for a couple. Great running

47.4

Naib to Dockrell, FOUR, good length ball on middle, Dockrell anticipates it this time, makes room and stays low to pull it to deep square leg for four

47.3

Naib to Dockrell, no run, full ball on leg, a little slow, Dockrell makes room by moving outside leg and swipes across the line. Almost a sweep and misses it completely. Naib is adjusting is line at the last moment. Smart bowling

47.2

Naib to Murtagh, 1 run, back of a length on middle, Murtagh stays on the back foot and drives it to wide long-on as he stands on his toes for a single

47.1

Naib to Dockrell, 1 run, full on middle, Dockrell comes down the track and across to off, and whips it to away with an exaggerated "helicopter" follow-through to deep mid-wicket for a single

Gulbadin Naib [9.0-0-27-1] is back into the attack

Tim Murtagh, left handed bat, comes to the crease

46.6

Dawlat Zadran to Barry McCarthy, out Clean bowled! A good length delivery on off, seaming in, Barry McCarthy tries to loft a full-blooded drive through the line and misses it altogether as he plays down the wrong line. Dawlat Zadran buys this wicket as the McCarthy tries to slog it, and is into the shot too early. He has made a good comeback in the second half of this over with some good full bowling and is rewarded wit a wicket off the last ball. Barry McCarthy b Dawlat Zadran 7(12)

Dawlat Zadran to Barry McCarthy, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!

46.5

Dawlat Zadran to Dockrell, 1 run, better length, a leg stump yorker, but Dockrell gets enough bat on it to dig it out to deep mid-wicket for a single. Great batting by Dockrell there

46.4

Dawlat Zadran to Dockrell, FOUR, short again, poor bowling by cbowl, Dockrell makes room outside off, comes down the track, and smacks it with a horizontal bat to the long-on fence for four. A straight-ish pull, that

46.3

Dawlat Zadran to Dockrell, FOUR, short on off, Dockrell swipes an aerial pull towards deep mid-wicket for four

46.2

Dawlat Zadran to Dockrell, no run, good length and wide outside off, Dockrell makes room and goes too far to make contact as he tries to stretch and slap it into the off side. Intelligent bowling as he adjusted his line at the last minute

46.1

Dawlat Zadran to Dockrell, no run, full on leg stump, Dockrell makes room to on-drive, gets a thick inside edge to mid-wicket

45.6

Rashid Khan to Dockrell, 1 run, short and wide this time; cuts wide of sweeper cover

45.5

Rashid Khan to Barry McCarthy, 3 runs, Barry McCarthy gets across on this googly and tries to nudge around, deflects off the pad to fine leg. Given as runs this time

Naib to Barry McCarthy, 1 run, length delivery outside off. Dockrell runs it down to third man for a single

42.6

Nabi to Stuart Poynter, out Caught&Bowled!! Stuart Poynter wants to whip this one into the on-side. It's a quicker ball and he cannot control the shot on that occasion, gets a thick leading edge that flies towards mid-on. Nabi calls for it and settles under nicely. Stuart Poynter c and b Nabi 18(28)

Nabi to Stuart Poynter, THAT'S OUT!! Caught&Bowled!!

42.5

Nabi to Stuart Poynter, 2 runs, tucked into the on-side. Takes the fielder on and runs two, beats the direct hit at the striker's end

42.4

Nabi to Stuart Poynter, no run, goes back to this flatter ball and cuts to backward point

Dawlat Zadran to Stuart Poynter, no run, fuller ball. Stuart Poynter drives back to the bowler

38.2

Dawlat Zadran to Stuart Poynter, no run, short of a good length ball. Stuart Poynter stays inside the line of the delivery and blocks

38.1

Dawlat Zadran to Dockrell, 1 run, tucked off the back foot to deep square leg for a single

37.6

Nabi to Dockrell, 1 run, flicks to mid-wicket, who fumbles for a single

37.5

Nabi to Dockrell, no run, tries to sweep and misses. Is rapped on the pad but the appeal is not acknowledged

37.4

Nabi to Dockrell, 2 runs, half-tracker outside off again, should have been punished, but it has been slices away through the gap at deep extra cover for a couple

37.3

Nabi to Stuart Poynter, 1 run, half-tracker on off, cut away square of the wicket for one

37.2

Nabi to Dockrell, 1 run, good length outside off, driven to extra cover for a single

37.1

Nabi to Stuart Poynter, 1 run, short ball outside off, stays low and Stuart Poynter hangs back but adjusts in time to cross-bat it from outside off to long-on for a single

36.6

Dawlat Zadran to Dockrell, no run, short ball into the ribcage, Dockrell stays on the back foot and gets on top of it to block it into the on-side

36.5

Dawlat Zadran to Dockrell, no run, good length outside off, Dockrell comes forward a little and tries to play a transfer-of-weight cover drive. Miscues it back to the bowler

36.4

Dawlat Zadran to Dockrell, no run, a hint of swing in and Dockrell tries to drive it straight but gets it off the inside half of the bat to short mid-wicket as the bat turns in his hand

George Dockrell, right handed bat, comes to the crease

36.3

Dawlat Zadran to Kevin O'Brien, out Lbw!! Back of a length delivery on off, stays low and skids as Kevin O'Brien expects more bounce and tries to pull but gets hit on the top pad but more importantly he was on the back foot. That is clearly hitting top of middle and the umpire has no doubts about that either. Ireland lose their 6th, after being more than a 100 for no loss.Kevin O'Brien lbw b Dawlat Zadran 11(10) [6s-1]

Dawlat Zadran to Kevin O'Brien, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!

36.2

Dawlat Zadran to Stuart Poynter, 1 run, good length on off, Stuart Poynter late-blocks it to gully and manages the quick single this time

36.1

Dawlat Zadran to Stuart Poynter, no run, good length on off, Stuart Poynter plays a late block to guide it to point trying to get a quick single, but he is unsuccessful in doing so

Dawlat Zadran [6.0-0-44-0] is back into the attack

35.6

Nabi to Stuart Poynter, 1 run, short again, easily cut away to sweeper cover for a single

35.5

Nabi to Stuart Poynter, no run, back of a length on off, a hint of turn in, and Stuart Poynter crouches low to cut it to backward point

35.4

Nabi to Stuart Poynter, 2 runs, full on middle, Stuart Poynter whips it to long-on off his pads for a couple

35.3

Nabi to Kevin O'Brien, 1 run, back of a length on off, Kevin O'Brien goes back in his crease to slap it through to deep extra cover for a single

35.2

Nabi to Stuart Poynter, 1 run, back of a length on middle, slows down, might be the back spinner and Stuart Poynter waits for it to clip it to backward square leg for one

35.1

Nabi to Kevin O'Brien, 1 run, off-break outside off, but too short, and Kevin O'Brien hangs back to on-drive it off the back foot to long-on for one

Mohammad Nabi [6.0-0-32-0] is back into the attack

34.6

Mujeeb to Stuart Poynter, no run, carrom ball and huge appeal for stumping!. It turns past the outside edge as he fails to read form the hand, and it looks like that has been given not out. The batsman's foot never got off the crease, but he was comprehensively beaten by that one, as he wasn't able to read it off the hand

34.6

Mujeeb to Stuart Poynter, wide, another wide down leg, and the teenager losing his line here

34.5

Mujeeb to Kevin O'Brien, 1 run, flipper, Kevin O'Brien hangs back and whips it off the back foot to mid-wicket for one

34.5

Mujeeb to Kevin O'Brien, wide, good length on leg, turns past the leg-stump for a wide

34.4

Mujeeb to Kevin O'Brien, SIX, good length on middle, tossed up, Kevin O'Brien clouts a slog-sweep towards the deep mid-wicket fence for six

Mujeeb to Kevin O'Brien, no run, good length on off, Kevin O'Brien comes forward to dead-bat

34.2

Mujeeb to Stuart Poynter, 1 run, full on middle, clipped to long-on for a single

34.1

Mujeeb to Kevin O'Brien, 1 run, good length outside off, straight ball, Kevin O'Brien guides it to point for a single

Time for the players to have a well-deserved drinks break. Also time for the popping creases to be repainted.

33.6

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter, no run, leg-break on off, a hint of turn and Stuart Poynter defends it from the crease towards mid-off

33.5

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter, no run, good length on the pads, no turn, clipped toward square leg

33.4

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter, byes, FOUR, Stuart Poynter doesn't anticipate the extra topspin on the leg-break as he tries to cut it, and it is top-edged over slip to third man for four

33.3

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien, 1 run, full outside off, Kevin O'Brien slices it towards point for a single

33.2

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien, no run, flipper, but too wide outside off, Kevin O'Brien has his feet rooted to the crease as he tries to cut. Doesn't make contact

33.1

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter, 1 run, full leg-break outside off, but too full for the batsman to let it turn, and he whips it to mid-wicket for a single

32.6

Mujeeb to Stuart Poynter, 1 run, short outside off, Stuart Poynter gets back and slaps a powerful cut to sweeper cover for a single

Stuart Poynter, right handed bat, comes to the crease

32.5

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, out Stumped!! Looks like that is out! Niall O'Brien misses the off-break going across him and as he tries to cover-drive. Niall O'Brien stretches too far forward to get to the pitch and his foot is in the air as the keeper dislodges the bails. The on-air commentator screams jubiliantly as the third umpire gives that out! The spinners are wreaking havoc again! Niall O'Brien st Shafiqullah b Mujeeb 13(33)

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, THAT'S OUT!! Stumped!!

Looks like that is out! Stumped! Niall O'Brien misses the off-break going across him and as he tries to cover-drive

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, no run, good length outside off, played from outside off toward mid-on

32.2

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, no run, full on mddle, clipped to mid-on

32.1

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, no run,

Mujeeb Zadran [8.0-0-35-1] is back into the attack

31.6

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien, no run, stifled appeal, but not out! Another googly but he isn't third time lucky as it turns from off to leg, and Kevin O'Brien misses the glance off the back foot. It hits him on the pad but that is clearly going down leg and perhaps struck him too high as well, above the knee-roll

Kevin O'Brien, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Hat-trick ball for Rashid. 2 slips and forward short leg in along with a leg slip

31.5

Rashid Khan to Wilson, out Bowled!! Another googly and another wicket! Rashid on a hat-trick here in Sharjah! Good length outside off, turning in and slipping through the huge gap between bat and pad as Wilson doesn't read the googly and tries to poke it towards point. It sneaks through the batsman and rattles the sticks. Wilson b Rashid Khan 0(1)

Rashid Khan to Wilson, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!

Gary Wilson, right handed bat, comes to the crease

31.4

Rashid Khan to Stirling, out Lbw!! Stirling was playing for the leg-break and didn't read that googly that turned in from outside off and hit him on middle and off! Good ball by Rashid and a good decision by the umpire as Rashid Khan sends Stirling on his way back to the pavilion. Stirling came forward to defend but played completely down the wrong line. The ball had gone above his eye-line so I suppose he misjudged the length too as he was clearly not to the pitch of it and was hoping to read it off the pitch Stirling lbw b Rashid Khan 82(96) [4s-8 6s-1]

Rashid Khan to Niall O'Brien, no run, good length on off, Niall O'Brien punches it off a full-stride to short cover

31.1

Rashid Khan to Stirling, 1 run, full outside off, Stirling stretches out and whip-drives it with a strong bottom-hand to sweeper cover for a single

30.6

Dawlat Zadran to Niall O'Brien, no run, huge appeal! BUt clearly going down leg! Good length ball from round the wicket to the left-hander, it skids on as Niall O'Brien plays down the wrong line, and it hits him around leg stump. Given not out

30.5

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, 1 run, short utside off, Stirling pulls it aerially to deep mid-wicket, but without much timing. They think about the second but then decide against it in the end

30.4

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, no run, full-toss on middle, Stirling doesn't get it off the meat, as it gets a thick inside edge and towards the man in front of square inside the circle on the leg side

30.3

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, no run, full outside off, Stirling drives it from the crease to the man at cover inside the circle

30.2

Dawlat Zadran to Niall O'Brien, 1 run, full outside off, Niall O'Brien slices it to gully where the fielder dives to his right to stop it but can't prevent the single

30.1

Dawlat Zadran to Niall O'Brien, no run, good length outside off, nipping away from the left-hander from round the wicket, great ball, and Niall O'Brien misses the poke outside off as it goes on the bounce to the keeper

29.6

Rashid Khan to Stirling, byes, FOUR, leg-break, turning from off-stump away and Stirling shoulders arms, but the keeper Shafiqullah isn't quick enough to collect it as it beats his reflexes and goes between Shafiqullah and slip to the long-stop boundary for four

29.5

Rashid Khan to Niall O'Brien, 1 run, googly, on a length, and Niall O'Brien makes the mistake of defending off the back foot, Niall O'Brien edges it past slip and gets a single to third man

29.4

Rashid Khan to Niall O'Brien, no run, flighted on a good length, Niall O'Brien comes forward to block this straightening leg-break off the front foot

29.3

Rashid Khan to Stirling, 1 run, short-ish on off, Stirling crouches low and cuts it off the back foot square of the wicket for a single

29.2

Rashid Khan to Stirling, 2 runs, flighted full-toss by Rashid Khan, terrible bowling, Stirling comes forward and plays a Kohli-esque whip drive through the covers for a couple. 150 up for Ireland

29.1

Rashid Khan to Niall O'Brien, 1 run, short ball across the left-hander to start with, Niall O'Brien hangs back and slaps it to extra cover for a single

Rashid Khan [3.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack

28.6

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, FOUR, short on off, Stirling stays on the front foot and because of the lack of pace, pulls it off the front foot to deep mid-wicket for four. Can't afford to bowl short at that pace

28.5

Dawlat Zadran to Niall O'Brien, 1 run, shor tand angling across the southpaw, Niall O'Brien rocks on the back foot and punches to cover point for a single

28.4

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, 1 run, back of a length on middle, seaming in a tad, Stirling gets a very thick inside-edge towards deep square leg as Rashid chases after it to keep it to one

28.3

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, no run, good length outside off, Stirling cover drives through the line, trusts the bounce but no placement as it goes straight to the man at short cover

28.2

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, no run, good comeback by Dawlat Zadran, back of a length on middle, Stirling defends from the crease back to the bowler

28.1

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, FOUR, short and wide, Stirling hits a Sehwag-esque slap to deep extra cover for four. Bludgeoned from the crease. Nobody moved

Dawlat Zadran [4.0-0-32-0] is back into the attack

27.6

Nabi to Niall O'Brien, no run, arm ball from round the wicket, Niall O'Brien plays for the turn and it raps him on the pad. A stifled appeal but they know it was sliding down leg

27.5

Nabi to Stirling, 1 run, short-ish, cut away toward back ward point

27.4

Nabi to Niall O'Brien, 1 run, full and tossed up outside off, Niall O'Brien comes forward and pucnhes it to deep extra cover for a single. short cover dives over it.

27.3

Nabi to Stirling, 1 run, good length on middle, Stirling comes across and flicks it under his eyes to deep mid-wicket for a single

27.2

Nabi to Niall O'Brien, 1 run, Niall O'Brien comes from round the wicket and bowls on a good length on the pads, and Niall O'Brien tucks it to backward square leg for one

27.1

Nabi to Stirling, 1 run, off-break on a back of a length, tucked off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single

Mohammad Nabi [5.0-0-27-0] is back into the attack

26.6

Mujeeb to Stirling, 1 run, good length on middle, Stirling sweeps it and gets it off the top of his blade over fine leg for a single. Streaky shot for a single

26.5

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, 1 run, back of a length on off, a hint of turn, Niall O'Brien crouches and punches it off the back foot to cover for a single

26.4

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, no run, another off-break defended into the off-side

26.3

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, no run, full outside off again, Niall O'Brien drives it to short cover. Struggling to find the gaps

26.2

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, no run, full outside off, Niall O'Brien comes forward to smother the spin as he drives it to short cover

26.1

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, no run, good length on the pads, clipped to sqaure leg

25.6

Naib to Stirling, no run, full ouside off, driven to the man at short cover

25.5

Naib to Stirling, 2 runs, yet another slower one beautiful on the pads this time, Stirling waits on it and places it between the fielder to deep mid-wicket for a couple

25.4

Naib to Stirling, no run, play and a miss! FUll outside off, Stirling comes forward and Stirling comes forward to drive. It nips away off the seam a tad and it beats the outside edge

25.3

Naib to Stirling, no run, loopy slower ball outside off, Stirling comes forward and slices it to the man at point

25.2

Naib to Stirling, no run, good length on off, Stirling punches it on the run to the man at mid-off

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, no run, good length on the pads, clipped to the man at fine leg

24.1

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, no run, straight ball, Niall O'Brien doesn't read it and punches it late back to the bowler. He's reading it off the pitch

23.6

Naib to Stirling, no run, back of a length slower ball outside off, Stirling comes down the track and waits on it and then whips it to mid-off

23.5

Naib to Niall O'Brien, leg byes, 1 run, full and on the pads, Niall O'Brien misses the glance and there is a big appeal but only by the bowler. Probably going down leg and the umpire gives it not out as they sneak a leg-bye before square leg can come around

23.4

Naib to Stirling, 1 run, half-volley just outside off, Stirling punches it off the front foot to sweeper cover for a comfortable single

23.3

Naib to Niall O'Brien, 1 run, good length on off, Niall O'Brien and pucnhed away to cover under his eye for a single. Very compact technique. He played it right under his eyes

23.2

Naib to Stirling, 1 run, leg-cutter by Naib, but too full as Stirling gets to the pitch of it and punches it to mid-on, presenting the full face of the bat

23.1

Naib to Stirling, no run, good length delivery just outside off, Stirling defends it into the off-side from the crease

Mujeeb to Niall O'Brien, no run, Mujeeb goes round the wicket, and bowls a flighted floater outside off, which is tapped to short cover

Niall O'Brien, left handed bat, comes to the crease

22.4

Mujeeb to Andy Balbirnie, out Lbw!! Mujeeb goes wide of the crease and bowls a back-spinner, aka, flipper. Andy Balbirnie comes forward and plays all around it and gets hit on the pad in front of off. The umpire has no hesitation in giving that out immediately. Andy Balbirnie lbw b Mujeeb 4(3) [4s-1]

Mujeeb to Andy Balbirnie, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!

22.3

Mujeeb to Andy Balbirnie, FOUR, I'm sure this was a leg-break with a bit of top-spin, but too wide outside off, slices by Andy Balbirnie to deep backward point for four!

22.2

Mujeeb to Stirling, 1 run, flat trajectory ball on a length, clipped to mid-on after Mujeeb misfields off his own bowling

22.1

Mujeeb to Stirling, no run, looked like the backspinner on a length, Stirling waits for it and defends from the crease

Mujeeb Zadran [5.0-0-25-0] is back into the attack

21.6

Naib to Andy Balbirnie, no run, back of a length but on the pads, Andy Balbirnie tucked it down to mid-on

Andrew Balbirnie, right handed bat, comes to the crease

21.5

Naib to Porterfield, out Caught by Stanikzai!! Fourth slower-ball in a row and finally he has been deceived! Short ball on off, half-tracker really, Porterfield is early into the pull and gets it off the top-edge toward wide mid-on. Soft dismissal that! Porterfield c Stanikzai b Naib 47(63) [4s-7]

Naib to Porterfield, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

out! fourth slower-ball in a row and finally he has been deceived! Short ball on off, half-tracker really

21.4

Naib to Stirling, 1 run, to third man, short-ish delivery outside off, Stirling late-cuts it down to third man for a single

21.3

Naib to Porterfield, 1 run, to long-off, another slower ball, on a length outside off, Porterfield bludgeons it from the crease to wide long-off

21.2

Naib to Porterfield, no run, slower delivery, Porterfield waits on it with a high backlift, and thrashes it straight to short cover. Porterfield struggling to find the gaps to not-so-good deliveries

21.1

Naib to Porterfield, no run, back of a length on middle, Porterfield gets on top of it and punches it to short cover

Gulbadin Naib [4.0-0-11-0] is back into the attack

20.6

Rashid Khan to Stirling, no run, another straight one, perhaps the slider with fewer revs, a double bluff but not on the stumps as Stirling comes forward to shoulders arms

20.5

Rashid Khan to Stirling, no run, beaten! Leg-break turns across the right-hander's bat and comes off the keeper's glove and slip collects the ball!

20.4

Rashid Khan to Porterfield, 1 run, back of a length leg-break, not much turn and Porterfield tucks it with the turn to mid-wicket for a single

20.3

Rashid Khan to Porterfield, no run, flipper, skidding outside off, Porterfield goes for the cut but chops it into the pitch

20.2

Rashid Khan to Stirling, 1 run, too full, Stirling coverts it into a full-toss and whips it straight down the ground for a single

20.1

Rashid Khan to Stirling, no run, Stirling comes down the track to a good length delivery and clips it to short mid-wicket

19.6

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, flighted on middle, a hint of off-spin from round the wicket, Porterfield plays it late and under his eyes as he stretches forward to smother the spin and push it back to the bowler

19.5

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, good length on middle, going on with the arm again, and clipped to the man at mid-on

19.4

Nabi to Stirling, 1 run, good length on the pads, clipped away to deep square leg for an easy single

19.3

Nabi to Stirling, no run, good length outside off, Stirling plants his foot outside off, and clips it to short mid-wicket

19.2

Nabi to Porterfield, 1 run, full outside off, driven to deep extra cover for one

19.1

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, good length delivery on a length, Porterfield plays inside the line and gets beaten as it thuds into the gloves of Shafiqullah

18.6

Rashid Khan to Porterfield, 1 run, full ball again, Porterfield comes forward to negate the spin and taps it to mid-off for a quick single. Non-striker is hesitant initially, but agrees to run across in the end

18.5

Rashid Khan to Stirling, 1 run, full and flighted on off, Stirling taps it without any follow-through down to long-off for a single

18.4

Rashid Khan to Stirling, no run, full, very full, Stirling tries to drive without any feet, and ends up yorking himself

18.3

Rashid Khan to Stirling, no run, back of a length on middle, skidding on, perhaps the flipper and Stirling jabs the bat down and gets it to mid-on

18.2

Rashid Khan to Porterfield, 1 run, full and a little flatter, Porterfield stretches forward and punches the ball to long-off for an easy single

18.1

Rashid Khan to Stirling, 1 run, full and flighted on middle, Stirling makes room and punches it to deep extra cover for a single

17.6

Nabi to Porterfield, FOUR, good length on middle and off, Porterfield stretches forward gets to the pitches and doesn't let it turns as he nails that sweep to the backward square leg fence for four. Excellent batting

17.5

Nabi to Stirling, 1 run, back of a length on middle, a hint of turn, and Stirling clips it off the back foot to backward square leg for a single

17.4

Nabi to Porterfield, 1 run, full ball, Porterfield comes forward anf drives to long-off, and the partnership between Porterfield and Stirling is now 100!

17.3

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, short on off, again, no turn, and Porterfield hangs back and drives with a horizontal bat to short cover

17.2

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, back of a length on off, no turn, and Porterfield defends from the crease

17.1

Nabi to Stirling, 1 run, full on the pads, clipped away to mid-wicket for an easy single

Drinks

16.6

Rashid Khan to Porterfield, byes, FOUR, googly that turns sharply and beats the defensive prod from Porterfield. Beats the keeper as well and runs away

16.5

Rashid Khan to Stirling, 1 run, stays in the back foot and tucks this googly to mid-wicket

16.4

Rashid Khan to Porterfield, 1 run, Porterfield goes on the back foot and tucks to mid-wicket

16.3

Rashid Khan to Stirling, 1 run, shorter ball. Stirling pushes to sweeper cover for a single

16.2

Rashid Khan to Stirling, no run, stays back and defends to the right of the bowler

Their newest recruit Mujeeb Zadran was the tormentor in chief, scalping four wickets to restrict Ireland from chasing what once looked like a manageable one. If Ireland are to stay alive, they need a win today. But given the recent history between these two teams, it's a tough ask. Stay tuned for the toss and team updates...

Welcome all. It was expected to be a duel of two new Test entrants, what instead it turned out to be was a meek surrender by Ireland against an Afghanistan side whose growth story is a stuff of legends.

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Preview:

Afghanistan sustained their domination over Ireland, taking an early lead in the three-match One-Day International series in the UAE, with a thumping 138-run win. Ireland crumbled to their fifth-lowest ODI total being bundled for 100 in a chase of 239, with only skipper William Porterfield, Stuart Poynter and George Dockrell getting into double figures.

Afghanistan also picked up comprehensive victories over Ireland earlier in the year with a 3-2 one-day series win, a ten-wicket win in a T20I, and an innings-and-172-run victory in the Intercontinental Cup; they now continue to have the upper hand against a team that had risen up the ranks much before they did.

If Ireland were prepared for the customary spin threats in Rashid Khan or Mohammad Nabi, they were bamboozled by 16-year old offspinner Mujeeb Zadran, who returned a four-wicket haul on debut, with him returning 7-2-12-4 in his opening spell. Rashid only was handed the ball when Ireland were 30 for 5, and it didn't take long for him to run through the lower order picking up 3 for 28 in 6.4 overs.

In the absence of the experience of Ed Joyce, who had sustained a knee injury, Ireland would've banked upon their senior players in Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie and Kevin O'Brien to do the bulk of the scoring, but the trio only managed a cumulative 8 runs with Mujeeb accounting for all three along with Gary Wilson. Mujeeb, though, was the beneficiary of pacer Dawlat Zadran keeping things tight at the other end, having bowled three maidens at the other end.

Stirling was one of the few batsmen who negated Rashid's threat in the ODI series played in India, composing 341 runs, but he was trapped leg before for 3. Porterfield alone held his end, witnessing the capitulation at the other, composing a patient 35 before falling to Nabi. Poynter managed an unbeaten 27 but the Afghanistan spinners ran amok on Ireland's batters.

Boyd Rankin, who wasn't a part of the Ireland side in Noida due to injury, picked up a four-wicket haul. Tim Murtagh had three, but barring him and Stirling, the other bowlers were taken for runs by Rahmat Shah (50) and Nasir Jamal (53). Rashid added late runs with a 49-ball 48 and Shafiqullah Shafiq (36) added valuable runs at No.9 to give Afghanistan a strong total to finish with.

Ireland will have had a measure of Mujeeb going into the second one-dayer, but after being haunted by one spinner, they have another who has sprung into prominence at their expense. They would've singled out the top order, in particular the experienced ones, to stand up and deliver at a time when they are out to prove their worth with Test status handed to them. Come the second one-dayer, they have a chance to level the series and turn the statistics around that spell a different story so far when these two sides have taken on each other in the past.

What to expect: It is expected to be another hot day at Sharjah with temperatures set to touch 30 degrees. Most of the times, the track in Sharjah is on the slower side helping the spinners.

Team news

Ireland

They could bring in Jacob Mulder, the legbreak bowler, to beef up their spin resources.

Afghanistan

Dawlat had tweaked his shoulder during celebrations for a wicket, but he returned to get Dockrell. Afghanistan have little reason to change a winning combination.